NOTE: If accepted to this program, you must commit to or decline participation by September 25. Exact orientation dates will be provided upon acceptance by the host university. Semester end dates may vary according to exam schedules.

Year

2019-2020

01-MAR-2019

06-MAR-2019

TBA

TBA

NOTE: If nominated to this program, you must commit to or decline participation by March 15. Exact orientation dates will be provided upon acceptance by the host university. Semester end dates may vary according to exam schedules.

Fall Semester

2019

01-MAR-2019

06-MAR-2019

TBA

TBA

NOTE: If nominated to this program, you must commit to or decline participation by March 15. Exact orientation dates will be provided upon acceptance by the host university. Semester end dates may vary according to exam schedules.

UVA Exchange
Seoul National University

Seoul National University honors the ideals of liberal education and aims to teach students a lifelong love of learning that will form the basis for continuous personal growth. At the same time it is committed to preparing students to work and live in an increasingly competitive global environment. The founding of SNU in 1946 marked the opening of the first national university in modern Korean history. Originally, the university was composed of one graduate school and nine colleges, with 491 faculty members and 4,500 students. Today, the university is comprised of 16 colleges, 3 specialized graduate schools, 1 graduate school, and 135 research institutes and other supporting facilities, with 5,594 faculty members and 6,842 students. As of 2012, over 2,600 international students enter degree programs at SNU. Nearly 700 international exchange students attend SNU each year. SNU was ranked 47th in the 2009 QS World University Rankings, 5th in producing CEOs in Fortune 500 companies, according to the L'Ecole des Mines de Paris - MINES ParisTech, and is now working towards becoming one of the top ten universities in the world by 2025.

In 2007 SNU established SISA (SNU International Students Association), which hosts activities including International Students Sports Festival, Korean Culture Trip, Ambassadors Meeting, International Food Festival, and the SISA party. Foreign students are able to experience the beautiful scenery of Gwanak Main Campus, with Gwanak Mountain as a background. SNU offers a variety of student activity clubs, such as musical bands, choir, dance, painting, photography, and travel clubs, as well as sport clubs such as fencing, basketball, rugby, scuba diving, baseball, judo, kendo, soccer, taekwondo, and more.

Location

Seoul is the capital and largest metropolis of Korea. Home to over 10 million citizens, Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world. Renamed after the independence of Korea in 1946, the word "seoul" is derived from a Korean word meaning "capital city". Seoul is roughly divided into northern and southern halves by the Hangang (River) and is surrounded by vast mountains. This fast-paced and high-tech city embraces both tradition and modernity, making it a very unique destination. With five ancient palaces and five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Seoul is the living history of the Joseon Dynasty. Experience life in the past at the Bukchon Hanok (traditional Korean house) Village, with traditional arts performances, or with traditional Korean food. Seoul also embraces the modern era with a strong foundation of high-tech technology and infrastructure and a number of world class performances.

Academics

Curriculum
Exchange students are free to choose from available courses at SNU, though some courses may have restrictions. The majority of courses are taught in Korean but each college or department offers a number of courses in English. As of Spring 2011, SNU provides 738 courses conducted in English. For an updated list of courses taught in English, please visit Seoul National University Undergraduate Programs. For guidance on searching courses please see the SNU Course Search Instructions. NOTE that in their search engine, '1st Semester' is the spring and '2nd Semester' is the fall. Course lists for each new semester are available at the beginning of January or July. Undergraduate students can take up to 18 credits.

Terms
Spring: March - June
Fall: September - December

Accommodation

The Gwanak Campus is the main campus of SNU. Most colleges and schools are located at the Gwanak Campus except for the College of Medicine, which is at the Yongon Campus. Exchange students have the right to apply for housing at the Gwanaksa Dormitory but are not guaranteed to get a room. Gwanaksa Dormitory has 28 dormitory buildings with 2,600 rooms, housing over 4,500 students. Gwanaksa includes Undergraduate Dormitory, Graduate Dormitory, Off-Campus Dormitory (cluster) and Family Dormitory for married graduate students. It also has subsidiary facilities such as cafeterias, laundry rooms, concert hall, study room, indoor stadium and gymnasium, public bathrooms, a table tennis room, and common rooms. Gwanaksa also holds special cultural and educational events for students. More dormitory information can be found here. Students who cannot be accommodated at the dormitory or those who wish to have a private place to live can consider off-campus options. It is the student's own responsibility to find accommodation off-campus. Note that most off-campus information and contract processes will be available only in Korean.

International Student Homepage

Cost

UVA students will pay their regular tuition rate and fees to UVA for the term they are on a UVA Exchange Program. Students are additionally responsible for room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. Students will pay the host institution or make their own arrangements for accommodations. Check the host institution web site for accommodation choices, cost, and application procedures.

Students are responsible for booking and paying for their own international airfare as well as researching and obtaining the necessary visa.

UVA students are required to purchase CISI emergency medical and accident insurance.

Expected Expenses

UVA Tuition and Fees

Host institution Room and Board

International Airfare

CISI insurance

Books and Supplies

Local Transportation

Passport and Visa

Personal Expenses

Accessibility

The University of Virginia believes in providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities on an individual and flexible basis. If you believe that you would require adjustments in order to fully participate in this program, please contact the Student Disability Access Center at 434-243-5180 as early as possible in order to begin this dialogue.

Passport and Visa

All participants will need a valid passport in order to participate in the program. Students must ensure that their passport is valid at least six months past the program return date. US passport holders will need a visa to participate in this program. International students should meet with their International Student Advisor and Education Abroad Advisor in the International Studies Office as part of the application process.

Health and Safety Information

All students considering Education Abroad should consult the Students Abroad section of the U.S. Department of State’s web-based travel resources and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler’s Health web resources to research health, safety, and security conditions; visa requirements; immunization requirements; and recommendations on staying healthy and safe in their target destination(s). Students should also carefully review the UVA Education Abroad Health & Safety Abroad web page. Parents and guardians are strongly advised to review all of these resources, as well. UVA students and visiting students enrolled in UVA Education Abroad programs are subject to the University of Virginia’s Policy on Student International Travel.